After rain cancellations the previous weekend the weather gods were kind and a festival of football began at the Whitsunday Sports Park.

All eight Whitsunday United teams took to the field in the same location for the first time this year.

The day started with a rampant U14 Premiers continuing their great form and literally tearing apart the visiting Magpies 8-0.

Jacob Logan bagged a couple of goals, but six other players contributed to the score line showing the quality of this side. The win cements them top of the ladder.

The U16 Premiers were slow out the blocks, looking lethargic and disjointed against a much improved Magpies unit.

They came in at half time tied 4-4.

An animated half time chat from coach Luke Swift did the trick and the team fired up in the second half running in 5 unanswered goals.

Jazz Knezevic, Kobi Miller, and Tyler Jankowski all ran in two goals, with Rale Mudford and Zane Hill contributing a couple as well. The side now sits in second place on the ladder.

The U14 Div1 team also continued its winning form against Sarina with a 7-0 victory on the back of some great teamwork and spectacular football. Jacob Godden scored a hat trick with Kai Draper backing him up with 2 goals. The win will put them in a clear second place on the ladder.

The Women had a great round with the Div 1 side recording a strong win against Sarina 2-0. Highlights included Francesca Norbury Trueman and Mabel Gudes scoring their first goals of their careers.

The Premier Women's Squad faced off against top of the table and title favourites Mackay Lions in a game that flowed from one end to the other.

Coach Peter Farrell was impressed with the speed and quality of the game and felt that his side was unlucky not to at least come away with a draw.

The Whitsunday Men faced an uphill battle in the lower divisions with upwards of 10 regular players missing. Div 1 put up a strong fight against the Mackay Lions going down 5-1.

Reserves were defeated with many Div 1 players having to back up for a second game.

The Premier men played a nail biter against the strong Mackay Lions. After missing an early penalty, the home side worked hard playing into the wind to Keep Lions to 1-0 at half time, with the midfielders Scott Ferries and James McEvoy-Bowe working hard to create opportunities for Ben Seago and Harry Hodgen up front.

The second half was all Whitsunday – dominating possession and field position but despite hitting the goal posts three times, they were unable to score and against the run of play, Lions scored a second goal – winning 2-0.

A very encouraging display against the top team in the competition considering three of our top players were unavailable.

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The Mama Africa Raiders travelled to Bowen on Saturday to take on the old rivals Bowen Mudcrabs at their home grounds.

The coaching staff were prepared for the traditional hard slog and close scoring that has played out between the sides for decades.

Raiders had to travel with a few less reserves than normal, but this has never been an excuse not to perform at their best.

With a stiff breeze behind them Bowen brought it rom the start. The first 35 minutes was a tussle between both forwards and backs and was played between the 22mtr lines of both sides. Until Bowens forwards went over the line through a strong pick and drive play.

Half time came around and the raiders were behind 5 nil.

With the penalty count climbing for the home side, Raiders crept ahead through the boot of Hone Casey-Bloomer and Connor Spence to see them lead at the 65th minute mark 12 -5.

The game wasn’t over by any means, with a large and vocal group of local supporters, Bowen was never out of it.

All until young gun Jack Briskey scooted through the defensive line, again, and scored Raiders only try of the game at the 77th minute mark, leading now 17 – 5.

Bowen managed to turn the ball over after the kick off and a couple of phases later had a 20-metre line break, only to be shut down by the hard-working Raiders defence.

The Raiders boys then advanced up field for a few more phases until the final whistle went.

Raiders win 17-5.

With the whistle blown and the crowd cheering both teams, the mighty Raiders managed to complete round one of three undefeated and currently holding the number one spot on the ladder.

This does not mean the remaining rounds are going to be easy, in fact the direct opposite; they expect tough games from all the MRU clubs.

This game was not only the completion of round 1, but it was also the first of a three-game series to see who can win the inaugural Eclipse Financial Service Cup.

This series has been proudly started by ex-Muddies player and Eclipse Financial Services managing director Justin Butler and will be played out on the Raiders home game, June 18 and finally at Bowen on the August 6.

Mama Africa Raiders players of the day went to our #10 Dylan Hoffmann 1 pt, lock and big brother Joel Hoffmann 2pts and to young gun winger Jack Briskey 3 pts.

Contributed with thanks to Craig Spence

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Whitsunday Sea Eagles Juniors hit the road to Mackay and Sarina on Saturday in less-than-ideal conditions, with Seniors having the bye and a postponed round for the Women against the Swans due to ground suitability and safety.

Sea Eagles Under 17s took on Bakers Creek to consolidate after an amazing win against Moranbah last week in a comfortable 73 – 13 win.

Bailey Wishart and Jack Jeffries continued to excel through the middle with Wishart’s mark play of the day.

Sea Eagles forward line saw Cody Love, Huntah Miall and Max Baker working under the guidance of Jacob Dewis and Brodan Cornwall to make an impact on the scoreboard. The ever reliable midfield Aidan Allen-Fancke, Kain Zacher, Foxx LaMonica, Jordan Daniels and Jacob Dewis continue to improve and deliver the ball with precision to the forward line.

In what was always set to be an even contest Sea Eagles Under 14s faced Bakers Creek. The first half saw both teams work hard to finish with only one goal apart at half time.

Special efforts from Cody Love and Molly Bennett in the third saw Sea Eagles stretch the lead out to 9 points with Sea Eagles using the breeze in the final term to finish up 46 – 23.

Sea Eagles Under 12s had a wet match down at Brewers Park against Sarina Demons improving their now experienced wet weather skills.

Maintaining possession in the Sea Eagles forward line for the almost the entire game saw Sea Eagles take it out 46 – 0.

All Sea Eagles teams play in Mackay this coming Saturday May 28 for the final Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous round at Harrup Park against the Mackay City Hawks and Swarks.

Juniors start from 9:35am, Senior Women 3:30pm and Senior Men at 5:00pm.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles

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Wynnum Manly Seagulls headed to the Sugar City for Round 9’s Respect Round at BB Print Stadium against the Mackay Cutters.

The home side faced off in a wet and wild Friday night fixture, hoping to bounce back from defeat against the Bears at Pizzey Park.

The Seagulls, who were sitting pretty in 6th and hoping to make a berth for top four, had other plans for the local side, though.

Cutters were first to score through Blake Paskins, but Manly fired back with a four pointer.

The first half was a tight affair, with Cutters scoring again with seven left in the first half, with Luke Webley crossing in the dying embers – leaving Cutters in the lead.

Second half began with Tristan Hope crossing for the Seagulls before they crossed again with a four pointer. Manly were on a tear and kept scoring, capitalising on a floundering Cutters side.

Cutters were slow to it and conceded again near the end, leaving the game 10-28.

The Sugar City side are now up against the Blackhawks on June 4 in Townsville, hoping to stay in the chase for a good finish come the end of the season.

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Making an impact on the schoolboy rugby league scene is St Patrick’s College Mackay centre Kai Simon.

The dashing 17-year-old colt has caught the eye of sporting pundits with his dynamic performances this season at school and Junior League level.

Simon is one of the players to watch in a strong St Patrick’s Open team that will be competing for honours in this year’s CQ University Confraternity Shield Rugby League Carnival to be staged in Mackay from June 26 to July 1.

The fleet-footed centre - who is under contract to the North Queensland Cowboys – was at his elusive best as St Patrick’s College tuned up for the CONFRO Carnival with a hard-fought 16-14 trial win over reigning Aaron Payne Cup premiers St Brendan’s College Yeppoon last week at Leprechaun Park Mackay.

Simon nabbed a try and two goals and menaced the Yeppoon side with his tricky running in an impressive display in the wet conditions.

Other players to shine for St Patrick’s were clever halves Jaxon Purdue and Ethan Van Kerkwyk and rampaging forward Matthew Watts.

St Patricks jumped to a 12-4 lead following tries by talented hooker Xavier Korrisk and the quicksilver Simon before St Brendan’s bridged the gap with a converted try before the interval.

Speedy 16-year-old winger Bailey Anderson extended St Patrick’s lead with a fine try after the break before the visitors registered their third four pointer late in the match.

St Patrick’s coach Michael Comerford was pleased with his team’s overall performance in an absorbing contest.

“I was very happy with our attack in the opening 25 minutes and our defensive effort in the final twenty,” said Mr Comerford.

“We experimented with some combinations and several squad members grabbed their opportunity against some tough opposition.”

MEANWHILE Mercy College Mackay Year 10 side toppled St Brendan’s 34-28 in a high scoring trial match at Leprechaun Park.

Powerful centre Toby Woodall, lock forward Javen Ramsamy, skilful half back Adam McSherry, fullback Coby Cabassi and tireless forward Campbell Grisan-Hodges turned in strong games for Mercy under the guidance of coach Ian Schifilliti.

Mercy College will kick off their 2022 Aaron Payne Cup campaign against Mackay State High School on Friday June 1.

Contributed by Chris Karas

Talented St Patrick’s College centre Kai Simon on the attack during his side’s Year 10 trial win over St Brendan’s Yeppoon

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Runners took on the sand of Sarina Beach for the 2022 Cruisin' the Coast Fun Run on Sunday hosted by the Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club.

Participants took part in a variety of distances, with 3km to half marathon runs and walks on offer.

Paul McKenzie took out the inaugural half marathon, finishing the 21km run in just over an hour and 40 minutes.

Sarah Manttan crossed first in the 10km run with Brayden Manttan winning the 5km run.

John White was first across the line in the 5km walk and Nate Brady smashed out the 3km distance to claim first.

The sun made a brief appearance on Sunday for the Cruisin' the Coast Fun Run at Sarina Beach

Paul McKenzie won the inaugural Cruisin' the Coast half marathon

Sarah Manttan crossing the line first in the 10km

Bendigo Bank sponsored the event and participated in the 5km walk. Photos: supplied

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Our second division pennants team had three losses to Northern Beaches at Northern Beaches last Saturday, but on Sunday had three wins at Seaforth against Seaforth. Other results were not known at this time.

Social Bowls Results

Monday mixed pairs winners were Maurie Pearson and Darren Laurens. Runners up were Don Agnew and Graham Moore. Lucky draw winners were Sally Canham and Sam Leotta.

Wednesday ladies winners were Bev Svenson, Lyn Maguire and Narelle Schmidtke. In second place was Marie Bragg and Brenda Trannore.

Thursday mixed pairs winners were Mick Mackenzie and Mick Walsh. In second place was Tony Allsop and Wazza Corbett. The kitty toucher jackpots. Greens vouchers were won by Brenda Trannore, Narelle Schmidtke and Ron Bowers.

Friday competition will be re-commencing shortly. Watch the board for a date.

There were no results for Saturday play.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

Lorraine Lemke shows her style while Lydia McCarthy watches

Dave McKendry is a picture of concentration

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Queensland Rugby League announced its Under 18 Emerging Origin squad last week with two Mackay locals’ a part of the squad.

Young lads Baden Robinson and Xavier Kerrisk – both Mackay Brothers Football Club alumni and QCCS Mackay Cutters Junior Representative Players - made the 30-man Emerging Origin Squad through the elite Queensland pathways program.

Xavier Kerrisk is also a North Queensland Toyota Cowboys contracted player.

The two lads joined their teammates to take part in a two-day training camp in Brisbane on May 7-8.

Head of Football at the Mackay Cutters, Kim Williams was overjoyed when the young players received the news.

“This is a fantastic achievement by both players and one that they should be very proud of,” Mr Williams said.

“Their performances throughout the Mal Meninga Cup competition this year were outstanding and they both thoroughly deserve their selection in the Origin squad.

“As a club we are extremely proud of their achievement.”

The Emerging Origin program has lofty ambitions for the young athletes, hoping to develop them into highly skilled rugby league players for Queensland representation.

Head coach of the Emerging Origin Squad Guy Williams managed the 30-member squad throughout their two-day training camp at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) in Brisbane.

The young Mackay lads were ecstatic when they found out they’d be given an opportunity to represent at “the peak of footy” for their age group.

“It was a bit of a shock when I first found out. I felt like I’d played well in the squad but it was still a bit unreal,” Xavier Kerrisk said.

“It was very different from the usual training camps. It was a bit more focused on the little things you do in a game.

“I liked it a lot because it was a different experience. Off the field, it was a lot more trying to understand what it’s like to be maroon. Taking care of yourself and things like that.”

Xavier has been playing the game since Under 6s, and said he was proud to have impressed the coaches enough to be a part of the side.

“From a young age, you have the goal to play origin. It’s the peak of football. The older I’ve been getting, the more I’ve been trying to make it,” Xavier said.

“If I keep doing what they’re saying and impressing them, I can maybe get there.”

The Grade 11 student is making a name for himself in Queensland and hopes he can keep the momentum going alongside his teammate.

“It was good to have a lad alongside me from the Cutters. We’ve been at the same clubs our entire lives; it was good to be not the only one from Mackay,” he said.

“Hopefully we can keep playing good footy and keep making sides like that.”

‍Young gun Xavier Kerrisk made the Under 18 Emerging Origin Squad in early May

Alongside him is promising star Baden Robinson

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The McDonald’s Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes played host to the Brisbane Capitals in the Crater on Saturday night.

The first game of the night saw the Mackay Meteorettes suffer their first defeat of the season, going down to a classy Brisbane outfit 103-67.

While they didn’t get the win, Miela Goodchild impressed the crowd in her Meteorettes NBL1 North debut posting 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Shaneice Swain also shone adding 12 points, four rebounds and four assists.

The second game of the night saw another thrilling NBL1 North win for the Mackay Meteors, defeating the Capitals 69-66 in a nailbiter.

Biwali Bayles dropped a 19 point and 15 rebound double-double with Emmanuel Malou adding 15 points and nine rebounds.

The win takes the Meteors’ record to three wins and one loss after Round 4️.

Both teams will now start preparations for a triple-header road trip south next weekend where they’ll face Gold Coast Rollers, North Gold Coast Seahawks and Logan Thunder.

Mackay’s next home games will take place at Mackay Basketball Stadium on June 4 against USC.

Action from the Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes against the Brisbane Capitals last weekend. Photo Credit: Kieron Place Art & Photography

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After recent rain had ripped apart our district’s rural roads, this year’s Club Championships for the Mackay Cycling Club was as much a state of survival as it was about strength and endurance.

The undulating 48km circuit around the back roads of Walkerston finished at the top of the steep rise on Stockroute Road, a set of hills that had to be conquered four times on the loop track. But the corner leading to the finish proved to be the real obstacle, with a large pothole creating punctured tyres which spelled the end of the race for some.

Those who dodged the damage will reap the rewards at the club’s prizegiving later in the year. Kyle Marwood and Brendon Brauer broke from the bunch early on and remained out of the front of the race for its entirety. Marwood crossed the line first to win the race outright, claiming the M1-2 title, with Brauer winning the M3-4 category. Craig Larsen was third across the line giving him second place in the M3-4. He was followed by the peloton with Ethan Weiss breaking early to claim the J19 title. Winning the bunch sprint behind was track sprinter Hamish Wright, placing him in third for the M3-4 category. Tenille Galea was not far behind to cross first for the women, taking out the W3-4 title.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Junior Men U19

1 Ethan Weiss

2 Lockie Bourke

Men Masters 1-2

1 Kyle Marwood

2 Peter Ransome

Men Masters 3-4

1 Brendon Brauer

2 Craig Larsen

3 Hamish Wright

4 Ben Sutton

5 Luke Schatkowski

6 Scott Manning

Women Masters 3-4

1 Tenille Galea

Men Masters 5-6

1 Shane Edwards

2 Martin Cahill

3 Alan Simonsen

Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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Today will be Shaun Brown’s 28th sprint distance triathlon in a row as he closes in on his goal of completing 50 triathlons in 50 days.

Every day over the last month, Shaun has swum 750 meters, rode 20 kilometres, and ran five to give back to those most vulnerable in the community, all through the power of sport.

He’s up at 5am for his roughly hour and a half ritual before work, but not just because he’s a fitness fanatic, it’s also an altruistic athletic pursuit.

The goal: to raise awareness for community charities, local triathlon clubs, and the personal benefits of exercise – as well as some much-needed donations for those local causes.

“I’ve come to a point in triathlons where I didn’t have many challenges left and I wanted to give back to the community I love,” Shaun said.

“I didn’t have money but what I did have was time and so I offered that.

“You see big sportsmen do big sports fundraisers all the time - and I’m not that – but I said, I’ll see what I can do! I think it’s been a great vessel for me and for everyone to see what you can give back to the community.”

His two charities of choice are Chances Café and Op Shop and the Australian Street Aid Project – both non-for-profits that help the homeless.

He aims to raise them $10,000 dollars - of which he has already raised $8,000. Those funds will directly help the charities, with the funds at Chances being used to run their regular breakfast facilities, which have helped feed those needy in Mackay.

Local businesses like Muscle Garden Gym and Gold Coast clothing company Self Aware have generously donated to raise the funds, while triathlon clubs in the region and locals have jumped on board for the message.

The idea to donate those funds to two grassroots charities in Mackay came from Shaun’s wife.

“She’s been working at the PCYC for 18 months and some of the stories I would hear about youth and families and struggles – especially social housing which is an issue all across Australia,” Shaun said.

“It’s needed everywhere. People everywhere are being affected by homelessness.”

On Day 24, he recalled riding near South Bank after relentless rain the night before.

“There would have been 40 homeless people there under a bridge, and it’s horrible to see that. It’s like seeing it in a movie; it’s surreal. You don’t expect to see it in Australia,” Shaun said.

“I think: how can that happen? As a society I think we have a bit to look at and to do better.”

By the end of his 50 days, Shaun will have ridden his bike 1000 kilometres, swam 35 kilometres, and run 250 kilometres, but the distance doesn’t drive him – it’s about continuing to get the word out.

“I haven’t got to the end yet, but I’d like to keep it going; what it stands for. I want to get people involved and to take it on, I want them to spread the word and the conversation to inspire others,” he said.

Shaun said Hero50 is open to anyone interested to come along and participate in a swim, bike, or run. His own Hero50 will finish up on June 18 at Chances Café for a sausage sizzle in the early morning.

If you’d like to follow Shaun’s journey or support him through donations, head to the hero50 website, Facebook, or Instagram.

Shaun Brown is completing 50 triathlons in 50 days to raise money for local charities

Shaun has been joined by countless friends over his first 28 days

Local triathlon clubs have regularly come out to run, swim, and bike alongside Shaun during his mammoth effort

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Photo credit: Amanda Wright

The Mackay Athletics Club Carnival was held last weekend, in unseasonably cold conditions. The occasional drizzle and chilly wind didn’t deter the athletes, with records falling across a large number of events. Nearly 500 athletes travelled from across Queensland to compete. Competitors from local clubs including Mackay and North Mackay, Moranbah, Sarina, Bowen and the Whitsundays were well represented among the list of record breakers in the 2022 event.

Mackay And District Record Breakers

Hayleigh Lucas - Age: 6 – Mackay

Girls 60 Metre 6yrs 11.20 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 11.72

Girls 80 Metre 6yrs 14.96 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 15.45

Girls 100 Metre 6yrs 19.18 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 19.35

Girls Long Jump 6yrs 2.36m (1) Previous Carnival Record: 2.06m

Harper Miles - Age: 7 - Mackay

Girls 200 Metre 7yrs 38.35 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 38.64

Girls Discus 500g 7yrs 12.29m (1) Previous Carnival Record: 12.10m

Alanna Oliver - Age: 7 - Mackay  

Girls 60 Metre 7yrs 10.73 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 10.76

Eleanor Bryant - Age: 8 - Mackay

Girls High Jump 8yrs 1.00m (1) Previous Carnival Record: 0.97m

Vogue Miles - Age: 9 - Mackay

Girls 800 Metre 9yrs 3:09.09 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 3:09.94

Girls Shot Put 2.0kg 9yrs 5.53m (1) Previous Carnival Record: 5.24m

Ayla Moon - Age: 10 - Mackay

Girls 100 Metre 10yrs 14.71 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 14.99

Girls 200 Metre 10yrs 31.13 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 31.40

Girls 400 Metre 10yrs 1:11.05 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 1:16.40

Girls 800 Metre 10yrs 2:51.72 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 2:53.30

Girls 1500 Metre 10yrs 5:50.18 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 6:08.06

Girls Long Jump 10yrs 3.74m (1) Previous Carnival Record: 3.71m

Lanie Hazeltine - Age: 11 - Whitsunday

Girls 200 Metre 11yrs 29.64 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 29.70

Learnie Scott - Age: 11 - Mackay

Girls 100 Metre 11yrs 14.20 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 14.26

Skye Howarth - Age: 12 - Mackay

Girls 3000 Metre 12yrs 14:55.78 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 16:53.18

Blake Lewis - Age: 12 - Mackay

Boys 400 Metre 12yrs 1:08.59 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 1:10.15

Hayley Colless - Age: 13 - Mackay

Women 200 Metre Hurdles 76.2cm 32.52 (1) 13yrs Previous Carnival Record: 42.61

Dylan Ticehurst - Age: 13 - Mackay

Men 200 Metre 13yrs 27.14 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 27.44

Men 400 Metre 13yrs 1:04.68 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 1:05.40

Elizabeth Lee - Age: 15 - Mackay

Women Long Jump 15yrs 4.87m (1) Previous Carnival Record: 4.72m

Toby Rule Age: 15 - Mackay

Men 3000 Metre 15yrs 11:01.80 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 11:22.21

Men 2000 Metre Steeplechase 76.2cm 7:23.20 (1) U16 Previous Carnival Record: 7:50.79

Mikayla Webb - Age: 15 - Mackay

Women 200 Metre 15yrs 25.24 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 28.08

James Galea - Age: 16 - Mackay

Men Shot Put 5.0kg U18 12.68m (1) Previous Carnival Record: 12.29m

Men Hammer 5.0kg U18 36.08m (1) Previous Carnival Record: 17.47m

Julia Monckton - Age: 17 - Mackay

Women 400 Metre Hurdles 76.2cm U18 1:09.25 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 1:10.85

Oliver Rule - Age: 17 - Mackay

Men 3000 Metre U18 9:45.67 (1) Previous Carnival Record: 9:56.45

Men 2000 Metre Steeplechase 84cm 6:56.12 (1) U18 Previous Carnival Record: 7:33.58

Masters

Miles Kerr Moranbah, 30-34 Men 800m 2:34:76

Kayla Porter North Mackay, 30-34 Women Discus 24.41m

Ben Ross Mackay, 35-39 Men Triple Jump 9.65m

Anthony Porter North Mackay, 35-39 Men High Jump 1.54m

Andrew Wieland Moranbah, 40-44 Men 800m 2:33:64

Men 1500m 5:27.46

Men 5000m 20:11:12

Kristie Brown Mackay, 40-44 Women 800m 3:30:01

Women 1500m Walk 9:15.84

Amanda Wright Queensland Masters, 40-44 Women Hammer 26.97m

Justin Rule Mackay, 45-49 Men 800m 2:28:87

Men 1500m 5:02:51

Men 5000m 19:43:33

Men 3000m Steeplechase 12:36.84

Men High Jump 1.40m

Men Throws Pentathlon 1182

Kelly Ross Bowen, 45-49 Women Hurdles 15:07

Women Long Jump 3.83m

Women Triple Jump 8.75m

Women High Jump 1.35m

Chris Carney Mackay, 45-49 Men Long Jump 4.72m

Lorraine Rutland Mackay, 50-54 Women 60m 9:26

Women 200m 32:97

Women High Jump 1.15m

Annette Wilson Whitsundays, 60-64 Women Throws Pentathlon 1849

Terry Ryan Mackay, 65-69 Men 60m 9:44

Men Long Jump 3.42m

Dan Conroy Mackay, 70-74 Men Triple Jump 5.68m

Anthony Galea Mackay, 80-84 Men Javelin 12.58m

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A Mackay local will lay it all on the line this weekend working as a protection athlete at the final stage of the 2022 PBR Monster Energy Tour Origin Series in Brisbane.

Shane “Maddog” Simpson returned from an eight-year retirement last year and is back on the big stage this Saturday ensuring both rider and bull leave the arena safely.

Retiring after a decorated bullfighting and protection athlete career, Shane said he was at a bull riding event in Townsville recently when the urge to return hit him.

“I got a bit emotional about it because it’s been part of my life for so long and I thought to myself ‘You know what? I think you can still do it,’” he said.

After four months of preparation, Shane had his body ready for action.

The role of a protection athlete is to ensure the riders complete their ride safely and get out of the pen without injury, as does the bull.

He says knowing a bit about cattle and how they operate is a vital part of the role, as well as looking after your body.

“If you’re eating right and feeling good and the body’s feeling good, well, it all should fall together for you,” he said.

Shane started bull riding while working with cattle in the gulf country in the early 90s.

Participating in rodeos and camp drafts on weekends, Shane slowly progressed to bigger and better events until Australian bull riding legend and PBR World Champion Troy Dunn invited him to ride in Australia’s first major bull riding event in Mackay.

“Mackay, to put the first major bull riding event on the map, it was a real honour to do it, being my hometown,” he said.

Bull riding has taken Shane as far as America, Canada, and Mexico, and he says fighting bulls in the world finals in 2008 was his career highlight.

“As any bullfighter that’s on that sort of level, that’s their goal, to be able to fight bulls at the world finals because it’s the most elite stage you can fight on,” he said.

Shane is heading to Brisbane on the weekend, thanks to his sponsor Deftec, for the deciding round of the 2022 PBR Monster Energy Tour Origin Series.

Modelled after the rugby league concept, Queensland and New South Wales are all tied up after rounds in Newcastle and Tamworth.

Shane says both teams are pumped but he’ll be supporting the boys from the sunshine state.

“I’ll be backing the QLD boys because I’m born and bred in Queensland,” he said.

Shane “Maddog” Simpson is heading to Brisbane on Saturday as a protection athlete at the 2022 PBR Monster Energy Tour Origin Series

Brisbane hosts the deciding round of the Origin Series after rounds in Newcastle and Tamworth. Photos: supplied

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One of the youngest contenders at the Queensland Mud Trials Championships also had one of the biggest smiles.

11-year-old Eli Thomsett has a love of building things, which his latest project had been a Honda Civic to have some muddy great fun.

Ripping through sloppy fields and flicking mud as far as the eye could see is all part of the appeal of the annual event held in Sarina, and Eli wanted to take part.

Last year, Eli went to the Mud Trials and was able to help friends of his parents. His mother Nell said from there he was hooked.

“Friends of ours have been racing it since it began and let Eli help out.

“He’s been driving the ride-on mower since he was six and has been driving machinery with his dad around our property any chance he gets,” Nell said.

Eli makes money by selling free range eggs from the family farm and put some of this towards purchasing a Honda Civic from Buy Swap Sell.

“He was hands-on throughout the project. His dad Russell is a mechanic, auto electrician and fitter so this came in handy,” Nell said.

“Eli had to strip out the inside, remove the seats and air conditioning and wires, then had to waterproof the car and motor as much as possible. They installed a roll cage and removed the glass.

“The waterproofing and removing the windscreen were the hardest parts.”

Eli powered to fourth position in his category overall out of five races during the weekend in his first ever mud trials.

Eli says his favourite part was going fast.

“Dad says go faster so I just put my foot to the floor,” he said.

Eli hopes to race again next year and will keep the Honda Civic for a few more races. He’s caught the bug so much that next month he’s already lined up to drive the mud races in Kabra.

“He’s happy to race anything he can,” Nell said.

Eli Thomsett in his transformed Honda Civic. Photos: Nell Thomsett

Shelby and Eli after having muddy great fun at the Queensland Mud Trials Championships in Sarina

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Members are advised that nominations for the ‘8 a side’ competition for all clubs is on the notice board. Teams for this comp comprise four ladies and four men: make up your own team and nominations close shortly.

Nomination sheets for the mixed pairs and fours are up. Pairs games commence on 23rd July, Fours commence 30th July

The two bowl triples winners for 2022 are Ian Beveridge, Dave McKendry and Clint Vassie. Congratulations boys.

On Saturday our division two men’s pennant teams had two wins and best overall score to receive 5 points: Mackay City 1. Division three played Northern Beaches and won both games to receive 5 points and Division four won one and lost one but had best overall score to receive 4: RSL one.

Social Results Week Ending 15 May

Monday winners were Peter Crawford and G. Fakey, with Andrew Coates and Ryan Vigliante second. Lucky draw winners were Trevor Laurens and Doug Dungavell.

Wednesday Ladies winners were Pam Louis, Maryann Bartolo and Bev Svenson. In second place was the team of Cecelia Lee, Ann Smith and Daphne Offield.

Thursday pairs was taken out by Margaret Fogg and Barry Lehmann. Runners up and greens voucher winners were Michelle Stockton, Peter Madden and Barry Jackson.

There will be no Friday games until men’s pennants are over.

Saturday results were not available.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

Men’s Third Division team. Back row, Ray Walker, Wayne Trannore, John Stronach John Priest

Front row, Mick Mackenzie, Ken Lane, Ray McCarthy and Peter Miller.

Men’s fourth Division team. Back row, Wayne Mietzel, Andrew Coates, Peter Madden, Marshall Howland.

Front row, Col Carey, Maurie Pearson, Alex Cameron, Vern Mietzel.

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